By Police1 Staff
ROCKLEDGE, Fla. — An investigation has been launched into the officer-involved shooting of a 17-year-old suspect.
Police responded to a call of two teenagers breaking into cars Thursday when officers said the suspects fled, Florida Today reported.
Police Chief Joseph LaSata said the suspects then drove their car at the officer who moved out of the way before they hit a stationary patrol vehicle and crashed into a ditch.
While the 17-year-old suspect was stuck in the wrecked vehicle, the 15-year-old suspect fled on foot, the publication reported.
Officers arrested the 15-year-old two hours later after finding him hidden on a porch. He had property from other burglaries on him when he was detained, LaSata said
The video depicts officers telling the 17-year-old suspect not to move. The suspect replied he could not move. Shots are heard on the video and the suspect asked why he was shot. Cpl. Nicholas Galluzzi told the suspect he was shot because he “kept moving his hands.”
While the initial investigation found no weapons, FDLE Special Agent Rich Piccininni said in a news conference Friday that they are “working on information that there is a stolen firearm in the car.”
LaSata said the investigation is looking into why the officer fired his gun, according to Florida Today.
The suspect was shot in the chest, but is stable and recovering in a local hospital.